ROLE OF CHEMISTRY
The
Confederation of Indian Industry recently organised a one-day
conference to highlight the ubiquitous nature of chemicals, as part
of a concerted effort to communicate the role & relevance of
chemistry & the chemical industry to modern living and society.
This is a commendable initiative that must go beyond addressing
industry stakeholders – who are already converts – and reach out
to broader society. This is admittedly a difficult, time-consuming
and not inexpensive proposition, but one well worth doing if the
chemical sciences are to continue to attract students seeking a
career and if industry is to find enablers for growth.
Everywhere
and in everything
Chemicals
are everywhere and in everything. It is the stuff of life, and all
encompassing. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat
and the clothes we wear are all creation of chemistry – natural or
synthetic. Chemistry is a great enabler of all sorts of things that
we today take for granted: electronics & electricals, membranes &
materials, herbicides & herbal extracts, paints & plastics,
to name just a few. Chemistry feeds, clothes, lights, lightens,
cures, cleans, energises and embellishes the world. It reduces the
complexity of buildings, lessens the weight of planes & cars,
alleviates pain & suffering, and preserves food & crops.
Arguably,
no science has made as great an impact as chemistry. It is, as Prof.
M.M. Sharma says, both the queen and servant of biology. While space
missions have been made possible by physics and mathematics, the
probes they carry seek answers of chemistry – be it the composition
of alien atmospheres, comets or inhospitable planets. Clues to the
possible existence of extra-terrestrial life will most likely come
from detecting organic molecules and minerals – the stuff of
chemistry!
Role
in enhancing food security …
Chemistry’s
role in enhancing food security, in particular, can never be
overstated in a populous and poor country like India. If it were not
for the Haber-Bosch process – for producing ammonia (and then urea)
literally out of thin air – Malthusian predictions of doom and
widespread famine could well have been a reality. Agrochemicals used
in milligram quantities are now capable of warding off pests, and
remarkably distinguish between a weed and the desired plant, even
where the naked eye cannot (as in a flooded rice field). The positive
impacts of these developments in chemistry – in terms of yield
improvement and efficient use of soil nutrients – are immense, but
poorly communicated to and understood by the common-man. Post-harvest
food preservation – a vital but neglected area in India – is only
possible through the judicious use of chemicals. Getting fresh
produce to consumers with its vitality intact requires not just a
cold chain – impossible without chemistry – but also packaging.
Polymers play a tremendous role here, but it is unfortunate that this
is only recognised in the waste generated.
…
and
in purifying water
It
is chemistry that makes humble water fit to drink or for use in
industrial processes. Starting from simple chlorination – which has
saved more lives than most medical interventions – to membrane
processes to remove soluble salts to levels of a few parts per
billion, and treatments for turning brackish & saline water
potable, chemistry plays an unheralded and unappreciated role.
The
simple act of hand-washing with soap – one of the earliest products
of the chemical industry – has saved more lives than most drugs. If
medical science is able to stay one step ahead of deadly bugs it is
due to chemistry. While the first antibiotic – penicillin – was a
serendipitous discovery of biology – it is the directed tweaking of
the structure of this molecule through chemistry that has provided a
cornucopia of antibiotics in the armoury of doctors today. The call
for a Swacch Bharat by the Prime Minister will need
all the might chemistry has to offer.
Reaching
out to the young
For
all of its virtues, the irony is that chemistry earns a bad rap. The
immediate connotations of the term ‘chemicals’ are almost always
negative, and this is what the CII campaign is hoping to set right.
This is an ambitious exercise, but one that is very much needed. All
stakeholders, including industry and government, must support it.
Attempts
to alter deep-set perceptions of chemistry and of the chemical
industry need to start young – at the school level when impressions
are formed and interests sparked. Teachers have an important role to
play in igniting young minds to the wonders of chemistry, but need to
be aided by a contemporary curriculum that presents a balanced
perspective of the contributions of chemistry. Experiments can be
designed to entertain and educate, and need not necessarily be
confined to a laboratory. A commendable initiative by scientists at
the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, called ‘Chai
and Why’ takes science (not just chemistry) to the masses. The
simple experiments use common tools, as found in a kitchen, to
demonstrate scientific principles in a manner that makes for
fascinating watching. Likewise, scientists at National Chemical
Laboratory in Pune carry out outreach programmes. The idea behind all
of these efforts is to bring in the ‘wow factor’ and put fun into
fundamental research. But they need to be amplified many times over
if they are to have an impact. Resources for such enhanced efforts
need not only come from government; industry and industry
associations should extend a welcome hand – for selfish, if not
altruistic reasons.
Leveraging
media ….
The
chemical industry must also partner mainstream media, including
social media, to communicate the virtues of the industry. Carrying
messages only through trade publications (as this one) is akin to
preaching to the converted and will serve limited purpose. Captains
of industry must take it upon themselves to convey the role of
chemistry through consistent, concise and clear opinion pieces and
articles. Regular interactions – and not only when there is a
product launch to plug – with editors and senior correspondents of
major newspapers and TV networks will pay dividends. It will be a
good idea to sponsor open debates in TV channels on the role of
chemicals and the industry. Large companies should make outreach to
the communities living in the vicinity of their plants an integral
part of their operations. Many do, but it is not enough.
…
and
other communication tools
It
will also be a good idea to set up permanent or temporary exhibitions
to highlight the positive contributions of chemical sciences.
Students from nearby schools could be brought in to see for
themselves the wonders of chemistry. This column has had the fortune
of visiting a communication centre created by Bayer at their site in
Leverkusen (Germany) and amazed to see tens of school children
playing and learning, and often unable to see the difference! Surely
at least a couple of companies in India can afford to set up
something similar?
The
Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai has an excellent ‘Hall
of Fame’ highlighting stellar achievements in chemical technology,
but is tucked away deep in the corridors of the institute and not
accessible to outsiders. Can officials consider bringing in school
children, say once a week, for a guided tour of this inspirational
facility? Can the Indian chemical industry come together to fund
something akin to the Chemical Heritage Foundation in the US to
document and celebrate chemical sciences?
Improve
realities, then perceptions
Before
setting out to improving perceptions, it is vital to improve
realities. Sections of the industry continue to get away with
environmentally irresponsible behaviour, and bring a bad rap to the
industry as a whole. Every attempt must be made to correct this state
of affairs if the industry is not to lose the all-important license
to operate – either by actions regulators
or by the legislature. This will be a tragedy and not allowed to
happen! Mind-sets need to change. Today.
RAVI
RAGHAVAN Chwkly 141202
Chemistry
with a purpose delivered by a responsible industry - Ravi Raghavan
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